Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common occurrence and virtually everyone will experience some form of knee pain at one time or another. When an injury is sustained in the knee area, tenderness, swelling, and bruising can result, and it may take several days before the joint has regained a pain-free range of motion. If the pain or range of motion does not improve in a couple of days, you should make an appointment for medical care.
In cases where knee pain is severe, when the joint has been hyperextended or when the joint looks like it is no longer in the proper position, it is time to seek emergency medical treatment. For patients who endure chronic knee pain that prevents them from engaging in normal activities, making an appointment with a trusted physician is important in regaining full function. No one should feel that chronic knee pain is something that they should just accept and live with.
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain can occur following damage or injury to any of the bones or connective tissue in the joint. Knee pain is normally divided into three categories: acute injury, medical conditions, and chronic use or overuse conditions.
- Fractures
- Dislocation of the joint
- Ligament injuries like an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury
- Meniscus injuries where the shock-absorbing cartilage is hurt
- Rheumatoid arthritis of the joints
- Septic arthritis where the knee joint is infected
- Gout arthritis
- Patellar tendinitis where the tendons connecting the kneecap to the lower leg are inflamed
- Osteoarthritis caused by aging and repeated use
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine stimulates natural regeneration and repair of damaged tissue following an injury, disease or surgery. Two of the most common and successful techniques used in regenerative medicine are human cell and tissue therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments. Regenerative medicine is used to treat a wide variety of medical issues affecting the joints, including the knees. It can be very effective for treating degenerative conditions like arthritis or chronic age-related issues like plantar fasciitis (persistent foot and heel pain) because it promotes regeneration of healthy tissue. Regenerative treatments can also be performed during or immediately following surgery to speed healing and recovery, and in certain cases, routine use of these treatments may help some patients postpone or avoid surgery altogether.
